Question about emdr

[MinGos7]

For someone who has done it, how does it work? Are you supposed to pay total attention to the moving object or are you supposed to "fade out" your attention while staring at it? Are you actually supposed to pay attention to it or are you supposed to stare past it while you think about your target?

How long does it take for subconcious thoughts to kick in? 5 minutes? 10 minutes? 30 minutes?

 

[Deleted member 37474]

My thoughts start even before the hand buzzers. We don’t use the light at all, so I don’t know how that works. I keep my eyes closed though you can do it with them open and looking and some sort of grounding object.

The point is to stimulate left right left right while processing the memory. It is important to stay 60 percent in the present. It is also important not to get stuck in a bad part of the memory. I learned that today. Came out of the set and she told me to take a sip of my drink. That helped, but then I was staring at the green stopper thing in my cup and she said we need to go back in, I don’t want you to be stuck here. She was right. I wasn’t really present enough and about to get lost in my crappy memory.

Make sure you communicate with your T. Stop when you need to. I am lucky that my T is more on top of Things than I am!

 

[littleoc]

Don't think too much into it -- you'll be told what to do.

It starts with identifying a memory to start with. You examine what negative core belief is associated with it (I'm not safe, in disgusting, etc), and then you guess at what you would like to change that to -- how you ARE safe and not disgusting.

Then, you think about that memory and see where your brain takes you. You do this while watching or listening to something that goes to both brain hemispheres. You don't have to concentrate on it if you don't want to. But you can. You'll fit into your own way after a bit.

I'm not sure how to answer your second set of questions, though. I'll just say that since you hop right in, it happens quickly. But you can slow it down or speed it up. It's difficult but you'll feel better after hard work.

I hope that helps :) Don't worry, the therapist will guide you.

 

[CaraG]

For EMDR both sides of your brain have to be activated. So, yes you have to watch the object. You could ask your therapist for something else like Thera-tappers. You hold them in your hands and they buzz. Which for was very helpful because I didn't have to watch anything. I could just close my eyes and my head down.
I strongly caution EMDR if you do not know what happened during your trauma, if you repressed it. I highly suggest asking your therapist more questions. I had to quit EMDR due to it becoming too traumatizing. Hope that helps.

 

[Freida]

I use the headphones -- couldn't stand the buzzers.

There is quite a lenthy process to do to set safe spaces before you get started in EMDR. You need those because you are digging up the old memories and reliving them so they can process once and for all. It can be pretty brutal but it is worth it. when it works those thoughts that have been making you miserable are just old memories that no longer bother you.

The concept of how it is done is the same for everyone but the response is very individual as far as how long it takes to get into the memories or how you focus your attention.